Id like to start by thanking you for you and your teams trip to Pro Italia on Saturday. You personally adjusted the suspension on my Hypermotart 1100S and it is night and day. I would have truly never imagined the difference that 10 minutes can make. You suggested that I rebuld the forks, but honestly it rides so great now, im not sure it needs it. You being the expert and all i can only imagine how much better it could be if they were to be rebuilt. The bike is all around more fun and enjoyable to ride. Not only on the freeway ride home, but through the canyons it was amazing. Roads I used to fight are now a breeze and when in look in the rearview I have lost my buddies. You also saved me the money for my adult blankie… (steerinng stabilizer) Truly awesome.
Second thing is that I have a buddy that has a Kawasaki Z1000. A while back, we swapped out the front forks to ZX6R forks. After your clinic, talking to you and adjusting my suspension, I wanted to pass on the knowledge to him. We got the sag dialed in on the shock, but were stuck on the forks. I weigh 240 and he is about 180. The sag on the forks is only 11mm with the preload taken all the way out with either of us on the bike. I am not sure how much the geometry on the bike affects the sag. The forks are pretty high up in the clamps at this time, but it seems to me that he will need to get a softer spring to get the bike in balance. After we adjusted it though, it rode much better, but still has a lot of room. The forks are showa’s and the shock is stock z1000.
Thanks again for your help.
Regards,
Casey Warloe
After the first 600 miles I brought my YZF-R6 in for its first service to change out the break-in fluid and start running some synthetic oil. The dealer I brought it to did a once over on the bike, changing the oil, adjusting chain slack and also changed my suspension settings. As soon as I sat on the bike I noticed a huge difference in the behavior of the bike both cornering and normal riding; these changes little did I know were extremely dangerous. For the next 400 miles I rode the bike normally under breaking conditions, but as soon as the bike reached the 1000 mile manufacturer suggested breaking point it was time to see what it could do. Pushing the R6 through the first corner at high speed was gut wrenching, the bike was unstable and unbalanced which made it impossible to let the bike naturally corner ; I found myself fighting the bikes tendency to pogo and nose dive toward the inside of the corner.
At this point it was clear to me that something was off with the bike which needed attention as quickly as possible. I came across two clicks out suspension for track day racing which immediately captivated my attention. After watching nearly all the two clicks out videos, I was lucky enough to not only learn about my bikes suspension but the adjustability it has. With my newfound knowledge I checked over my own bike to learn that the brilliant service tech from my local dealer had set my front fork preload and rebound to zero; a perfect explanation as to the instability, but hey, at least he set both the front forks equal. Nevertheless, I was still not confident in my own ability to setup a bikes suspension properly and herein the search began again.
Dave Moss and Catalyst Reaction Tuning were on the other side of the United States leaving me no way of having them tune my bike. Searching suspension tuning in the area I came across GMD Computrack who agreed to do a setup on my bike. Two days later I brought the bike in for its setup and watched as yet another “suspension professional” ruined my settings. Having watched many of Dave’s tuning videos it was shocking that GMD did none of the same suspension tests to check the bikes balance; the tech never so much as asked my weight.
As soon as I got the bike home I sat down to my computer and emailed Dave Moss through the Catalyst Reaction website. Within days Dave emailed me back with the required information he needed to understand how my bike was currently set up. Dave also suggested specific videos so that I could see and understand how to install each suspension setting properly. After sending all the information to him Dave quickly responded with the new suspension settings that would set the bike for my weight. After installing the settings not only was the bike balanced but I was more confident in my own high speed cornering ability, allowing the bike to corner properly itself without fighting against it; the bikes suspension is doing the work rather than my tire against the road prolonging my tire wear!
Not only did I get a perfect suspension setup, I gained technical knowledge on how the bikes wide range of customization can be fine tuned to the rider. To this day I am still in contact with Dave, via email, sending him pictures of tire wear patterns so that I can further dial in the bike. I’ve spent a lot of money on modifications to this bike but none of that money has gotten my bike farther than the $25.00USD I spent on the bikes suspension tuning. Suspension tuning is an absolutely critical aspect of riding for both advanced and novice riders and now I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my bike. Two thumbs up for Dave Moss and Catalyst Reaction Tuning and On The Throttle TV for the amazing work and productions.
It has been a while now since you changed my life by helping me with my suspension. I cannot tell you how happy I am with what you have done with the seemingly little information that you had about me and my 2001 Honda 929RR. I wanted to say thank you so very much.
I was proud of being one of your clients.
Dan.
Hi Dave,
You helped me set up my s1000rr at Laguna a couple weeks ago (PTT
day). I really enjoyed the bike and had the best 2-wheel experience of
my life (and I started on dirt when I was 5). Thanks! (I just dropped
a 10′er in your tip jar).
I read your posts on the s1000rr forum. Very informative.
Thanks for everything!!
Jules Henry
Dave,
I finally was able to take a couple of days and rack up some miles on the new setup . I rode 1500 miles thru Northern California, Oregon and Washington on all types of road surfaces. Thank you very much for the rebuild on my ZRX shocks.
Between that and Steve inspecting and confirming the rebuild on the front end, My ZRX is truly a delight to put on the road, under any conditions . The stretch from Dunsmuir Ca to Redding Ca on the way home is a really great ” advanced speed” road but it has many many grooved areas for snow traction and they are some of the worst I have ridden.
As I approached the area I was passed by a couple of riders who must not have seen me because they didn’t wave or even acknowledge the fact that I slid over to let them through as we had merged into a narrow work area. Rider B was in the lead followed by rider D . I was sure they just didn’t see my obviously old—er , dirty ZRX. In order to give them a chance to correct their error I decided to place myself in their mirrors until the oversight had been corrected.
Well sir for 45 miles they sure managed to check those mirrors. It was fun following them onto the grooved areas and realizing how well the ZRX was absorbing the changing road surfaces and watch how riders B and D handled the surface.
The state of California has placed one of those automatic devices that suggest the speed for an upcoming turn and also let you know how close you are. It was interesting to see xxx mph, xxx mph and xxx mph as the three of us rounded the downhill left..:)
Thanks again. I had fun even though they pulled off at the second Redding off ramp , still without a wave.
Must be the younger generation!
I first used Dave’s services when I brought in my 03 CBR600RR to a trackday at Infineon hosted by K@TT. My bike’s suspension had initially been adjusted by a friend who is a suspension tuning enthusiast, but ironically, had no track experience to speak for. The adjustments made by my friend were significantly better than what I had previously had setup. However, upon inspection of my bike, my weight, and my (unimpressive) laptimes, Dave made some adjustments that reflected my riding style according to Infineon. He had also made note that my bike’s rebound and compression should nearly be full-in as he has tuned many, many 600RR’s. With that said, the proper adjustments were made and I was off to the post-lunch session. The responsiveness and predictability of my bike were amazingly improved; braking, entering, and exiting through turns felt much more controlled and I was able to push my abilities more than before.
Dave’s services at trackdays are essential and inexpensive! It was by far the cheapest yet most significant “modification,” if you will, that I have ever had done to my bike. It improved my confidence and gave new life to my bike! Thank you, Dave!
-Hodaka (aka Kensaku on BARF and North Bay Sport Riders)
As a female rider of slighter height and weight than many other riders, I had a hard time on my 2002 R6. I’d been a rider for many years on smaller bikes (EX500 amongst others), but just couldn’t ‘feel’ my bike. The bike seemed to jerk and bounce off of the road – to skim the surface with no traction and to catapult me out of the seat. No fun.
After Dave adjusted the suspesion on my bike…. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I had my bike! I immediately felt the responsiveness of the bike to the road and, in turn, me to the bike. Not to be cheesy – but it was like a reunion of two long-parted lovers. 
THANK YOU DAVE for bringing me closer to my motorcycle !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Rosannah
Bay Area Yamaha
I love the adjustments that Dave made to my 05 Ninja 250. He raised my ride height by 1″, corrected the sag/rake, and made it ride like a new machine! Seeing as it was my first track day, Dave spent the time with me to explain why certain adjustments were necessary and how they would affect my riding performance. I cut off 13 seconds off my best lap time over the course of the day after he worked on my bike! Now I have a new 05 CBR 600 F4i and I can’t wait to get it to the track so Dave can do his magic!!
Rebecca
For those of us out there that aren’t suspension gurus, ….. DAVE IS!!
Very simply put, …Track or Street, Dave quite often is the difference between a great handling bike and a bad day.
The knowledge couldn’t be better and the price couldn’t be cheaper.
Thanx Dave
Joe Horowitz (Harpo)
Dave,
Thank you very much for working on the suspension of my Ninja last Friday.I took the bike out for a 3 hour hard ride on Sunday and it was like night and day.It handled well over even the nastiest bump and chop of Highway 1 in Marin and felt great. Now the only problem is that the rider needs some tuning and practice.
Again, thank you for your excellent work.
John
Wow, thanks again for giving me a new bike! I could easily have spent hundreds or thousands on a new pipe or some other gimmick or cool upgrade and would not have made anywhere near the difference you made – what a bargain! Thanks especially for taking the time to totally understand my bike and my riding. As someone with a stock 750 GSXR who only visits the track once or twice a year for nothing more than a little fun, I did not consider myself to be an aggressive or sophisticated enough of a rider that suspension adjustments would make much of a difference. Wow! Was I wrong! I felt faster, better, comfortable AND in more control (safer) than I have ever felt on my bike before, which translates to a lot more fun than I have ever had at the track! You are truly a natural and a miracle worker!
David A Jones
Average Joe Rider
Dave, I have learned thru the years that recommending services or products can be a 50/50 shot at most and can result in some embarrasing situations. Having said that, I want to thank you for your professionalism when dealing with my friends. They had only the greatest of compliments for your expertise and your ability to ascertain their individual needs..
This on top of turning my not-for-the-track turboed ZRX1200 into something that was fun to ride instead of a constant fight even tho I had not a clue as to what I was trying to describe as happening on the track.. Your web address is a perfect description of the results of your suspension tuning..
You made it so much fun to go around corners that I will soon be bringing you a 636 for the Moss Magic ..
Charley Blunt
Hey Dave, i just wanted to thank you for the great job on lowering my bike. I love it! So much more confidence now that i dont have to move my body to the side as much to put my foot down. Feels ALOT better, and it looks stock! Exactly how i wanted it.. Thank you, i’ll be sure to spread your great work around, and i’ll see you at the open houses.
Steven C.
Dave just wanted to thank you for the suspension work on my Aprilia RS250 at Buttonwillow last week. Until I seized a piston, it had never handled better! In fact, that’s probably why I seized a piston, I was running so hard with my new “better feeling” forks and rear shock. So, I blame you.
Just kidding, look forward to getting you to Santa Barbara next year for a clinic.
Phil Delio
President
Santa Barbara Ducati Club
I must send compliments and a thank you to this guy. I went to ask for tire pressure advise and got dialed in on not only that but my suspension as well. Super friendly and knowledgeable Dave gave me track side help in between each session of the day. My Ducati never felt so easy to ride.
See you soon,
Jason
(Ducati 749 dark@Buttonwillow).